Aquarium Travels: The Best Aquariums All Over the US

Aquariums come in all shapes and sizes. Some aquariums are found in bowl and box configurations. Bowls usually hold a small amount of fish while box-shaped aquariums range from small to large ones. When you have these, you only need a filter and some tubes. You finally have your aquarium.

Fish also come in all shapes and sizes and it can be a peaceful experience just watching them swim. However, there are some fish that need special care. These species can be seen swimming in large, specialized aquariums in big places. Here are the best places across the US to see these fish swim.

Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach)

It isn’t called a ‘Pacific’ aquarium for nothing. Aside from exotic specimens—chances are they may have some deep-sea dwelling specimens here—it also houses a ‘Shark Lagoon’ as well as programs for ocean preservation and education about marine environments. Tickets here are relatively affordable at a price of somewhere between $15-30.

Audubon Aquarium of America (New Orleans)

Mark this aquarium during your travels. While it’s not majestically magnificent like the other aquariums on this list, it has distinctively re-made itself despite Hurricane Katrina. It isn’t picked as one of the best five aquariums in America for nothing—you have to see the Caribbean reef set to appreciate it. It is also one of the aquariums that stepped up during the Gulf of Mexico spill by enlisting as steward.

Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta)

It holds the distinction of being the biggest in the world. It’s size allows it to hold space for more than 7 million gallons of water as well as the capacity for many specimens. If you haven’t seen beluga whales, bottlenose dolphins, manta rays, and whale sharks, now’s your chance to see them up close. A trip for the family will cost you $70—tickets are $40 for adults and $30 for kids.

The National Aquarium (Baltimore)

The National Aquarium is one of the top five aquariums in the nation and for good reason. It is home to 600 specimens or more and it isn’t just an aquarium; it also houses an aviary made into a miniature rainforest. If you get tired of the fish, you can go up top and take a look at the birds. The tickets here range from $25 to $40.

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies (Gatlinburg)

It is easy to remember for its name and is one of the reasons why it’s being voted into fan-curated top ten lists. But some of the other reasons is because it has a lot of specimens for its size. It isn’t the largest, but 350 kinds of sea life call it home. A lot of activities—ranging from spending time with an interactive show up to memorable experiences—can be done here.